Battle Ready

Drone warfare is certainly a topic that has been in the news lately. Although somewhat controversial, according to one source, drones have been the Obama administration’s tool of choice for taking out militants outside of Iraq and Afghanistan. By one estimate, 95 percent of targeted killings since 9/11 have been conducted by drones. Among the benefits of drones: they don’t put American troops in harm’s way.
When I think of drone warfare I think of the inconspicuous schemes of the enemy to take out followers of Jesus; although, Satan would probably still prefer using airstrikes that would kill and destroy as many as possible at a time.
When it comes to spiritual warfare, what is your worldview? Are we really in a battle, or is that just for people in other parts of the world? Admittedly the demonic world cannot be seen, measured, or placed under a microscope. We are dealing with an unseen, mysterious world of fallen spirits. We only see what the demon causes people to do. Plus, the effects of the demon’s presence can and often is explained in some other way.
If spiritual warfare wasn’t a reality, why would Paul encourage us in Ephesians 6:6-12 to get ready to fight? “10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
I believe as the Day approaches the spiritual battle will intensify. Maybe you are in a battle right now and it feels like you’re losing. How battle ready are you?
Vicki and I would like to invite you to a workshop on spiritual warfare. It’s Dunamis #5: Spiritual Warfare and Kingdom Advancement. The seminar is held at the Lutheran Camp at Lake Okoboji, March 14-17. For more information, please contact Vicki or myself.
The teaching you will receive presupposes the existence of these spiritual entities. We will focus on what the Bible teaches about the demonic world and we will gain insight through personal experience and practical observation.
The course in “Spiritual Warfare” is included in the Dunamis Project for three reasons:
1) Jesus Christ came to set people free from evil spirits; He calls and equips us to do likewise.
2) Spiritual warfare is reality and, if we are to be true to reality and to Christ, we must be prepared for battle.
3) Growth in personal relationship with Jesus Christ and empowerment in the Holy Spirit for ministry often occasions more intensive spiritual warfare.
Consider the following story. Few Germans recognized the demonic spiritual influence in the 1930’s because they did not believe in the demonic and that demonic powers were free to roam where they wanted.
“During his early years in Vienna, Adolf Hitler studied occult religions as a way of gaining power. He came under the influence of several occultists, notably Dieter Eckart, high priest of the Thule Society. Eckart wrote: “Follow Hitler! He will dance, but it is I who have called the tune. We have given him the means of communication with them. Do not mourn for me: I shall have influenced history more than any other German.”
Hitler, like Echart, clearly became demonized, as we see in this description of him by his close friend, Hermann Rauschning: “Hitler stood swaying in his room, looking wildly about him ‘He! He’s been here!’ he gasped. His lips were blue. Sweat streamed down his face. Suddenly he began to reel off figures, and odd words and broken phrases, entirely devoid of sense. It sounded horrible.” (P. 256, The Voice of Destruction, H. Rauschning)
May it be said of us that when the day of evil comes, you and I may be able to stand our ground, and after we have done everything, to stand.